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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Patrick R. Ireland, MPH, PhD, Department of Political Studies and Public Administration (PSPA), American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Bliss Street, Riad El-Solh Beirut, 1107 2020, Lebanon, +961) 1-374-374, x4330, pi02@aub.edu.lb, Belinda M. Reininger, PhD, Division of Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health, 80 Fort Brown, RAHC-SPH Building, University of Texas, Brownsville, Regional Campus, Brownsville, TX 78521, and Joseph A. Zavaletta, JD, Center for Civic Engagement, University of Texas at Brownsville, 1301 East Madison Street, Cueto Building, Brownsville, TX 78520.

There is debate in the literature over the relative importance of objective and subjective factors in determining quality of life. This study aims (1) to describe objective life status and subjective life satisfaction among a simple random sample of households in a disadvantaged neighborhood in Brownsville, Texas; (2) to identify any associations between objective life status and/or subjective life domain satisfaction and global life satisfaction (GLS); and (3) to analyze the relative contributions of objective and subjective factors to GLS. A cross-sectional household survey was administered to 402 residents of the Buena Vida neighborhood in English and the local Spanish dialect (response rate: 80%). The instrument assessed levels of satisfaction with various life domains and specific local government, business, and non-profit services; levels of acculturation and neighborhood social capital; and socio-demographic factors.

Results shows that the predominantly Mexican and Mexican-American respondents expressed generally higher levels of satisfaction with life domains and their lives overall than was justified by their objective health and living conditions. Subjective factors are more effective at predicting GLS than are objective factors, although even their contribution is not large: the coefficient of determination does not exceed 0.32 with any model. Satisfaction with one's personal health is of particular importance. It is the only variable to retain its significance at the p < .001 level in every model to explain GLS. These findings suggest that policies to improve the quality of life in impoverished majority-Hispanic neighborhoods like Buena Vida should not ignore or undervalue subjective measures.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) will be able to

• Recognize the importance of including subjective life satisfaction measures when examining quality of life.
• Articulate the protocol for data collection and training community members as data collectors for a household survey in an impoverished, Spanish-speaking neighborhood like Buena Vida in Brownsville, Texas.

Keywords: Hispanic, Quality of Life

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No